Peres Jepchirchir’s gutsy marathon race to remember in Tokyo 25

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir had an almost similar desire to Beatrice Chebet, who had won gold in the women’s 10,000m the previous day at the ongoing World Championships in Tokyo. She had won almost all the world’s major titles, from the Olympics, the World Cross Country, the World Half Marathon and the World Road Running gold medals. But one precious medal was missing: the world championship gold.

In the same country that held the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she had won gold in 2021, Jepchirchir ran a determined and gutsy marathon to emerge victorious in a seasonal best time of 2:24.43. 

Peres Jepchirchir wins a world title at last!

“This is my first championships and I feel grateful that it happened in Tokyo because I won my first marathon gold medal in Japan at the Olympics. This one was tougher. The humidity was so high and I did not know it would be so hot,” Jepchirchir would say this after the race.

In a fierce duel with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who now holds the women’s only world record of 2:15:50 – a record she took from Jepchirchir’s 2:16:16, Jepchirchir put all her energy into a strong finishing kick in about the last 150m of the race to emerge victorious ahead of the Ethiopian.

“I am so happy with what I have done in Tokyo. It was so hot, so difficult. But I managed it. It was not easy. When I entered the stadium, I got a lot of energy from the fans. I really did not expect to win. It was not my ultimate plan to sprint in the final metres, but when I saw I was 100m from the finish, I just started to kick.

“I found some hidden energy there. I was so exhausted coming to the stadium, stepping on the track. So exhausted. But I sprinted for it. Despite running a lot marathons in my career, I am so grateful for this one because I was not expecting the victory,” she said.

Tigst Assefa grateful for silver

Assefa was grateful for the silver medal as she finished second in 2:24:45. “I’m just happy I finished the race with the silver medal. When I took the lead with Peres Jepchirchir, I guessed that it would be all about a sprint in the last 100m. It was the same at the Paris Olympics when I also finished second and lost to Sifan. But I don’t like to think I lost gold. I always try to be positive and think that I won the silver,” Assefa said.

She observed that, with the racing conditions in Tokyo, the 2:15 she ran in London in April felt easier than the race she ran almost 10 minutes slower. “Honestly, my world record race was much easier than this. It had pacemakers, purposeful preparation and great conditions for running 42km. It was different today, but I coped with all the challenges,” she said.

Julia Paternain of Uruguay surprises herself with first ever country medal

Uruguay’s Julia Paternain, who had no honours in her running career except two national records from a country with little running history, appeared more shocked than the spectators who were wondering who she was as she came in to win the first-ever medal for her country at the world championships. Her time of 2:27:23 was just 14 seconds slower than her national record.

“I cannot believe it. I am in shock. I was not paying attention to my time out there. I was just trying to race. It was a great experience. The crowd was really amazing. I like running alone a lot. When things get hot, I like to be in my own little planet and run my own race, and today it worked to my advantage. My coach told me to run my own race and that people will come back to me as the race progressed. That”s exactly what happened,” Paternain said. 

Indeed, she appeared shocked at the finish line to learn that she had actually won a medal. She appeared to ask a guide at the finish line what position she had taken, reflected on it for a moment before holding out her jersey to show her country’s name as she shouted, “URUGUAY!”

“I would love to be an example for young girls in South America so they can see that everything is possible. It does not matter where you come from. All you need is a pair of shoes. I started running at the age of 16, and I am 25 now. Anyone can do it,” the 25-year-old who lives in the USA with her parents said.

In the warm and humid conditions, it was expected that the early leaders would fade in the next half of the marathon, and that is what happened.

After the first 10K, which she and her teammate completed in 34:21, Susanna Sullivan of the USA began to break away and ran solo at the front. She continued to lead as the runners took us on a free tour of the magnificent city of Tokyo, and we marvelled at the grand buildings and iconic facilities. Not only do the marathon runners get to tour the town on their feet, but the marathon fans worldwide also get to learn more about the city’s infrastructure. One reason the marathon event is becoming more popular is the visibility it gives the host city.

At 20K, she was 27 seconds ahead of McClain, Fatima Gardadi and Kana Kobayasi. A larger chasing group of about fifteen runners was one minute and three seconds further back.

At 25 km, the gap against and the size of the chasing back had reduced significantly as Sullivan crossed the 

At 27 km, Assefa and Jepchirchir overtook Sullivan as they ran parallel to each other ahead of Magdalyne Masai and Stella Chesang

From then on, Jepchirchir and Assefa ran shoulder to shoulder with the only change in their positions being that of moving from the right to the left of each other.

At 38 km, Assefa appeared slightly ahead, but perhaps it was a strategic move to get to the drinks station. It just ended, moving Jepchirchir from Assefa’s left hand to the right hand as they approached the 39 km point. The two leaders appeared equally exhausted from the warm weather and humid conditions.

On a slight incline at the 40 km point, Assefa again appeared slightly ahead, and Jepchirchir hung on, not letting any gap develop between them.

With less than 2 km, the two were clear ahead of the chasers, and each had to decide the colour of the medal to take home.

It was a question of who would have a faster finishing kick. They were still side by side, with less than 200m to go, and then Jepchirchir sprang and never looked back as she went ahead to win the coveted medal, edging out her rival in a close finish.

This performance by Jepchirchir showcased Kenya’s superiority and prowess in distance running.